Fireplace-screen.



o. 877,940. PATENTED FEB. 4,1908. 0. E. MITCHELL. FIREPLACE SCREEN.

APPLICATION FILED APRJZ. 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

121s FETERSQGL,

PATENTBD FEB. 4.1908.

G. E. MITCHELL.

FIREPLACE SCREEN. APPLICATION FILED APR.12, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET '2.

CHARLES E. MITCHELL, OF NEWBRITAIN, CONNECTICUT.

FIREPLACE-SCREEN.

Specification of Letters Patent Patented Feb. 4, 1908.

Application filed April 12. 1907- Serial No. 367.797.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. MITCHELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Britain, Hartford county, Connneticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in F ireplace-Screens, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in fire screens for fire laces and the like.

The object of tlie invention is to provide an effective screen so constructed as to cover the opening of a fireplace and prevent glowing embers from being discharged into the field which it is desired to protect. Also to so construct this screen that it may be com pactly folded when not in use, thus facilitating packing and transportation, besides being suitably compact for setting aside in the vicinity of the fireplace.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure'l is a front elevation of the screen extended ready for use. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the screen collapsed or folded. Fig. 4 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 5 shows a modified construction. Figs. 6 and 7 illustrates fastening devices.

Referring particularly to the screen shown in Figs. 1 to 4, 1 and 2 are front-pieces, 3 and 4 are side pieces, and 5 and 6 are top pieces. Each of these pieces is constructed after the manner of a frame and includes a suitable reinforcing border, and an intermediate screenlike portion such as conventionally illus' trated at 7. The front pieces 12 are each rectangular in form, and are hinged to each other at 89. Each of the side pieces 3-4 have parallel vertical edges, a horizontal base line and an oblique upper edge, thus forming in outline a trapezoid. The shorter of the two parallel edges of each side piece corresponds substantially in len 'th to the length of the front pieces 12. T e side pieces are hinged at their shorter edges to the front pieces, as shown at 1011. The upper pieces 5-6 are of trapezoidal form, the oblique edges being at the opposite outer ends thereof. 1213 to the oblique edges of the side pieces 3-4. The angle of the oblique edges of each of the side pieces 8 and 4 corresponds to the angle of the oblique edge of each top piece 5 and 6. When the screen is folded (Figs. 3 and 4), the parts 1 and 2 are thrown back and bear against each other. The top pieces 56 These oblique edges are hinged at are swung over and hang down in line with the side pieces 34 respectively, which latter are folded back against the opposite sides of the parts 1 and 2, making a very compact structure. When opened, however, the screen will completely cover and protect the front, sides and top of a grate, or fireplace,

a latch pivoted to one of the top members 6 and making a suitable engagement with the opposite side members 5. 15 is a stud or button for said latch 14, while 16 is a plate under which the shank of the latch 14 may extend, so that the latch will operate to support the two top pieces against dropping, in the event the edges are not supported on the front pieces.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a lining piece or latch for the front members. In this construction 17 is a channeled plate pivoted at 18 and adapted when in the position shown in Fig. 7 to embrace the edges of two of the top members, as best seen in Figs. 1 and 5, and keep them in alinement while the screen is opened. 1

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modification in which three folding front sections 19, 20 and 21 are employed, instead of two, as shown in Fig. 1. It is always, of course, preferable to have the width of the. side picees -34 correspond to the width of a single front section, as the screen folds more neatly when so constructed. This, of course, is not essential.

It should be understood that the special fastening devices described and shown are no part of my invention, as it is apparent that fastening devices of various kinds may be employed, but my invention consists of the general combination as above described whatever fastening devices are employed to secure the parts in place when assembled for use.

What I claim is:

1. A fire screen, comprising a plurality of vertically hinged rectangular front pieces, side pieces and top pieces of trapezoidal form, the side pieces being vertically hinged to the adjacent front pieces, the top pieces being hinged to the top ends of the side pieces.

2. A fire screen, comprising a plurality of vertically hinged rectangular front pieces, side pieces and top pieces of trapezoidal form, the side pieces being vertically hinged to the adjacent front pieces, the top pieces being hinged to the top ends of the side pieces and. fastening devices for the free ends of said. top pieces.

3. A fire screen, comprising a plurality of corresponding rectangular front pieces hinged along their vertical edges, side pieces of trapezoidal form, the shorter vertical edges thereof corresponding in length to the height of the front pieces and being vertically hinged to the outer edges thereof, two top pieces of trapezoidal form, the oblique edges thereof being hinged to the oblique edges of the side pieces all of said pieces being of substantially the same Width.

4. A fire screen, comprising aplurality of corresponding rectangular front pieces hinged along their vertical inner edges, side pieces of trapezoidal form, the shorter vertical edges corresponding in length to the height of the front pieces and being vertically hinged to the outer edges thereof, tWo top pieces of trapezoidal form, the oblique edges thereof being hinged to the oblique edges of the side pieces, the oblique edges of the top pieces and side pieces being formed at the same angle relatively to the parallel sides of said members respectively all of said pieces being of substantially the same Width.

CHARLES E. MITCHELL.

Witnesses:

LIZZIE E. CL MoNs, W. J WORAM. 

